Sophie Cunningham Reacts to Potential Punishment From WNBA

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Chris Phelps | Last updated Sep 30, 2025 8:23 PM ET

Sophie Cunningham has watched as the Indiana Fever pushed their semifinal series against A’ja Wilson and the Las Vegas Aces to a decisive Game 5. Cunningham, along with Caitlin Clark and several other Fever players, has missed the entire postseason with a season-ending injury, making Indiana’s playoff run even more impressive.

While the Fever fight to keep their championship hopes alive Tuesday night, other teams have already seen their seasons end. Earlier in the day, the Minnesota Lynx, the league’s top regular-season team, held exit interviews, where star Napheesa Collier criticized WNBA leadership. She specifically called out commissioner Cathy Engelbert for remarks about Clark, saying Engelbert suggested Clark would not be making anything without the WNBA. And that didn't sit well with Cunningham.

"people only know Cathy because of C…." Cunningham wrote on Instagram. "She’s the most delusional leader our league has seen... AND IT SHOULDN’T EVER BE ABOUT OUR COMMISSIONER IN THE FIRST PLACE.”

The WNBA has been known to fine players who, like Cunningham, speak out against the league’s leadership and officiating. Fever coach Stephanie White was fined $1,000 for backing Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve, who criticized the officiating after a Game 3 loss to the Phoenix Mercury. Reeve received a $15,000 fine, while Aces coach Becky Hammon was also fined $1,000 for the same reason as White.

With another fine likely coming for Cunningham, fans have floated the idea of starting a GoFundMe to help cover the cost. And Cunningham is starting to think it might be a good idea, having already racked up more than $2,000 in fines this season.

"honestly, I’m starting to like this idea," Cunningham wrote.

honestly, I’m starting to like this idea. https://t.co/Ct9oHYoiz8
— Sophie Cunningham (@sophaller) September 30, 2025

If the Fever defeat the Aces in Game 5 on Tuesday, they will move on to the WNBA Finals against the Mercury. However, a loss would end their season, and Cunningham would become an unrestricted free agent with her one-year deal expiring.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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